2026 Best Value Linguistics Schools in the Far Western Region
[Linguistics](/majors/foreign-languages-linguistics/linguistics-comparative-literature/linguistics/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 37 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for linguistics students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Linguistics Schools in the Far Western Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the linguistics degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Linguistics Schools
Our analysis ranked Pasadena City College the best value for a degree in linguistics in the Far Western Region. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the linguistics program here. Soon after graduation, linguistics degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in linguistics will find it at California State University Fullerton, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,833 to complete the linguistics program here. Soon after graduation, linguistics degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $22,723. That is a strong return on a $15,833 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in linguistics will find it at California State University Fresno, which ranked #3. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Linguistics graduates carry a median of $15,598 in student loans. Linguistics graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $49,502 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
California State University Northridge is a great value for students pursuing a degree in linguistics, landing the #4 spot this year. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Linguistics graduates carry a median of $16,202 in student loans. Early-career linguistics graduates make about $21,501. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
Long Beach City College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value linguistics schools. Set in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,556, with out-of-state students paying around $12,544. Typical student debt for linguistics graduates is $6,000. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,870 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Long Beach ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value linguistics schools. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,580 to complete the linguistics program here. Linguistics graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $18,393 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,580 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Stanford University placed #7 among the best values for linguistics. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Linguistics graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Linguistics graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #8 among the best values for linguistics. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Typical student debt for linguistics graduates is $16,481. Soon after graduation, linguistics degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $65,681. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 39%.
San Jose State University placed #9 among the best values for linguistics. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Riverside landed the #10 spot for linguistics value this year. Located in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,636, with out-of-state students paying around $46,524. Typical student debt for linguistics graduates is $17,283. Linguistics graduates of University Of California Riverside earn a median of $20,212 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Santa Barbara ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value linguistics schools. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,444, compared with $47,332 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,100 to complete the linguistics program here. Soon after graduation, linguistics degree recipients from University Of California Santa Barbara generally make around $27,629. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 33% of applicants are accepted.
Portland State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value linguistics schools. Located in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,118, compared with $29,136 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for linguistics graduates is $29,671. Linguistics graduates of Portland State University earn a median of $47,717 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of California Los Angeles earned the #13 position for value in linguistics this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Typical student debt for linguistics graduates is $15,000. Early-career linguistics graduates make about $30,524. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 9%.
University Of California Berkeley placed #14 among the best values for linguistics. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Typical student debt for linguistics graduates is $14,000. Early-career linguistics graduates make about $25,059. Set against $14,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 11%.
University Of California Davis earned the #15 position for value in linguistics this year. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,804, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Students borrow a median of $16,079 to complete the linguistics program here. Early-career linguistics graduates make about $22,965. Set against $16,079 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants.
San Diego State University placed #16 among the best values for linguistics. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,728 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for linguistics graduates is $11,000. Early-career linguistics graduates make about $22,001. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Santa Cruz came in at #17 for value in linguistics this year. University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Cruz. Students from in state pay about $15,035 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,923 for out-of-state students. Linguistics graduates carry a median of $17,491 in student loans. Early-career linguistics graduates make about $21,793. That is a strong return on a $17,491 median debt. University Of California Santa Cruz admits about 66% of applicants.
Western Washington University earned the #18 position for value in linguistics this year. Set in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,582, while out-of-state students pay about $28,707. Linguistics graduates carry a median of $19,899 in student loans. Linguistics graduates of Western Washington University earn a median of $24,232 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Washington University admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of Oregon ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value linguistics schools. Set in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,320, with out-of-state students paying around $42,516. Typical student debt for linguistics graduates is $23,187. Linguistics graduates of University Of Oregon earn a median of $23,615 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Oregon admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Southern California ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value linguistics schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,647. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete the linguistics program here. Soon after graduation, linguistics degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $75,677. Set against $15,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Southern California admits about 10% of applicants.
Reed College earned the #21 position for value in linguistics this year. Located in the city of Portland, Reed College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,350. Students borrow a median of $21,250 to complete the linguistics program here. Early-career linguistics graduates make about $25,561. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 25%.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 37 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
